'Safeguard Temelin 2017' exercise secures nuclear power plant

A hijacked plane threatening to endanger the Temelin Nuclear Power Plant triggered a prompt response from Czech air defence systems designed to fight off imminent security threats.

No hope for the intruders

Fortunately, this was just another defence exercise organised by the Czech Armed Forces, the Czech Police and the power plant security authorities in order to verify the various coordination and emergency response capabilities in the event of a real life attack.

More than two hundred military ground and air personnel and police officers participated in the 'Safeguard Temelin 2017' exercise last week, which was held in and around the Temelin nuclear power plant in the southern region of the country.

While several aircraft simulated an attack approach to the target, the 25th Air Defence Missile Regiment at Strakonice were operating a SURN fire control radar to identify the threat and, simulating an attack response, fired missiles from the 2K12 KUB system to bring down the ‘attacking’ aircraft.

The exercise also served to instruct and prepare the Czech Police, the power plant security personnel, and members of the Active Reserve on how to respond to a sudden and unexpected hostile physical breach of the plant’s perimeter in order to compromising the nuclear plant’s facilities.

Similar exercises scenarios carried out in other areas also confirmed that not only the two Czech nuclear power plants in Temelin and Dukovany are protected against possible attack, but these military drills also eliminate other possible threats to strategic sectors and assets such as national energy and industrial plants and water supply systems.

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By Nuala Casey and Oldrich Holecek

April 24, 2017

Photo Gallery

No hope for the intrudersNo hope for the intruders

A SURN CZ radar system A SURN CZ radar system

A KUB missile system at the Temelin nuclear power plantA KUB missile system at the Temelin…

Fire control radar operatorFire control radar operator

A military dog handler checking a truck entering the power plantA military dog handler checking a…

Policemen supported by a bomb squadPolicemen supported by a bomb squad

Active Reserve members in training for ground attack responseActive Reserve members in training…